Device for straightening cans.



srATEs rarnnr cr mes.

'rrroMAs ngines, of EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS.

DEVICE FOR s'rRAIerrrENrNG cans.

To'all whom; it'ma l concern:

EBeitknown that I, THOMAS -H; HART, a subjeetrofKing George Vof England, residing at Everett, .inthe county of Middle sex and State of Massachusetts, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Devices-for Straightening Cans, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to devices for takingthedent's out of cans which ,have been used. 4w "The object of the invention isto'provide a simple and powerful device which may be operated for-straightening orsmoothing out dents and inequalities in cans of different shapes and sizes, the same being adapted not only to straighten out the dents in cylindrical cans but in cans with a narrowed upper portion such as are used for milk cans. The invention consists inthe combination and arrangement of par'tsset forth 'in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the claims thereof. 7

Referring to the drawings: Figure l is a plan view of my improved can straightening device. 'Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same with a can shown in section between the formers. Fig. 3 is a side elevation viewed from the right' ofFig. 2 with the can shown in section between the formers and the handle also shown in'section. 1

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawingsnmfl.

In the drawings, 5 is apsupport or frame adapted to be fastened by screws 6 to an :upright 7. Said support has an arm 8 integral therewith and constituting a stationary former adapted to project into the interior of the can 9. The upper bearing surface 10 of said stationary former is formed transversely thereof on a curve coinciding with the interior surface of said can (F 2). A shaft 11 projects into a boss 12 on the support 5 and is fastened thereto by a setscrew 13. Upon said shaft is rotatably mounted a movable former 14: which is arranged to bear against the exterior of the can 9, the median axial line of the shaft 11, constituting the pivot for said movable former, extending longitudinally of the bearing surfaces of said formers.

The bearing surface 15 of the movable former 14 is formed transversely thereof on a curve of greater radius than the curve of the bearing surface 10 of the stationary former 8. The object of this difierence in Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 20,1913. Serial No. 731,923.

mated Oct. 6, 1914.

curvaturebetween the bearing surfaces of the two formers is to adapt the device to cans of difierent'sizes or diameters, the-inner surfaces of the cans being of substantlally the same size the outer surfaces will be: greater according to the thickness of metal-of which the can is formedyand by making the curve 15 of greater radius than the curve 10 said curve 15 will bear upon the .outer surface ofcans of different thicknesses of material and consequently of dif ferent diameters.

The shaft 11 being supported at one end, the free end thereof is liable to spring when pressure is applied to the can by the movable former, and in order to overcome any tendency of said shaft to spring at its outer end a-tie 16 is supplied consisting of two rods 17 and'18 connected together by a turnbuckle 19. The rod 17 is pivotedto a stud 20 which is fastened to the outer end of an arm 21 on the support 5, so that said rod 17 is pivotally connected to the support 5. The rod 18 is pivotally connected to the free end of the shaft'll and is affixed thereto by a set-screw 22.

The movable formerl i has an ear 23 thereon and between said ear and a flange 24 on the support 5 is introduced a spring 25. This spring holds the formers normally with their bearing surfaces separated sufliciently'so that a can can be easily introduced .therebetween and also acts as a cushion to prevent the movable former from striking too abrupt a blow against the can 9. Said movable former is manipulated by any convenient means, as, for instance, by a handle 26 fast thereto and extending preferably transversely of the median axial line of the pivot 11.

The device hereinbefore specifically described is operated as follows: The movable former being out of contact with the station ary former and held out of contact by means of the spring 25,a can is placed in the machine with the stationary former 8 projecting into the interior thereof. The handle 26 is then moved downwardly to bring the movable former in contact with the exterior of the can, while the interior of the can rests upon the bearing surface 10 of the former and the operator alternately raises and lowers the handle 26 while at the same time he moves the can step by step around to the different points where it is desired to have dents removed. After all of the dents have been ren10ved the handle 26 is thrown upwardly and the formers being out of contact the can is removed from the former 8 and the process repeated with another can.

It will be noted that by the construction hereinbefore described it is a very easy matter first, to get the can on or off of the stationary former; second, great pressure can be brought to bear upon the can by the movable, former to remove the dents. therein Without depending upon a blow of said movable former, but simply upon the pressure exerted; third, the device adapts itself to thick or thin cans without any change in the formers for the reasons hereinbefore set forth; and fourth, the median axial line of the pivot of the movable former extending longitudinally of the bearing surfaces of the formers and consequently of the can which is being operated upon, :it is obvious that the movable former is moved substantially the same distance with relation to all parts'of the can with which it contacts when being moved toward or away from said can and consequently a substantially-equal pressure is exerted upon all parts of the can with which said movable former contacts during I the operation of removing the dents therefrom.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

1. A device for straightening a can having, in combination, a stationary former longitudinally of the bearing surfaces of said formers and a tie fastened at one end thereof to said support and at the other end thereof to the free end of said shaft.

2. A device for straightening a can having, in combination a stationary former adapted to bear against the interior of said can, a support therefor, a movable former adapted to bear against the exterior of said can, a shaft fast at one end thereof to said support and constituting a pivot uponwhich said movable former is rotatably-mounted, the median axial l'me of said pivot extending longitudinally of the bearing surfaces of adapted to bear against the exterior of said a can, a shaft fast at one end thereof to said support and constituting a pivot upon which said movable former is rotatably mounted, the median a'xial line of said pivot extending longitudinally of the bearing surfaces of said formers, a tie fastened at one end thereof to said support and at the other end thereof to the free end of said shaft and a spring interposed between said movable former and support.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

V THOMAS H. -HART. Vitnesses DANIEL A. Romans,

ANNIE J. DAILEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Tatentsv 4 Washington, D. O. 

